An army of humanity pits itself against the Legions of Hell! Humanity has discovered that Immortal Life can be obtained once the Netherworld of Hell and it's denizens have been obliterated; a war is brewing and you've been recruited to lend a hand in this epic battle! White Elephant Games has you join forces with three characters: The Death, Halloween, and my favorite - Rock and Rol, in their game R.I.P. - Hell Defenders.

Like many other top-down shooters, your character is placed center-screen. However, in RIP you are in a gun-turret that freely rotates 360 degrees. The game consists of many levels - each level in a different terrain with a plague of Nasties edging closer to your turret with the intent of eliminating you. Your enemies range from soldier ground-troops, to weaponless "pig-terriers". Sounds rather like a tried and true scenario - but don't leave yet gentle gamer! Sit down. Get comfortable. Let's take a closer look... .

RIP can initially be decieving. The opening screen which links to game options, initially made me fill a bit uneasy with it's "cartoonish" imagary - I did not know what to expect from this title. Hesitantly, I moved forward... and was impressed with the in-game use of visuals. All of the game elements moved smoothly - targeting cursor, enemies, and bullets.

Furthermore, while the player's turret is fixed, during some levels the play-field is larger than the screen and the cursor can pull the playfield off-center in order to target at a greater distance. I also found the game's use of color well-done - terrain colors, color-difference in my character's gun-turret, enemies, power-ups, perks, and carnage - I was never in doubt as to where and what things were on the screen.

The in-game music suits the game well, adding to the ambiance. At the begining of each level, we're treated to a gutteral voice prompting you along as well as at the completion of a level. You'll be treated to weapons-fire, explosions, death howls of dying enemies (and oh, how those pig-terriers squeal!), and wet "splats" as your bullets make thier mark.

I have had a fun time while playing this game; the graphics are vivid, the in-game sound effects and music score is appropriate, and everything works smoothly. All seriousness aside, RIP made me laugh - not at the game, but rather with the game. This game moves along quickly, and I would often catch myself laughing at the end of each level in something akin to a post-adrenaline release "I survived the onslaught!". RIP is a fun game to have around for an adrenaline surge from time-to-time.

RIP is a game that will provide a player with lasting play - once the 40 levels are complete (no easy task that) you'll have the opportunity to play through the levels again as one of the other characters provided. Each character has 2 unique character-specific skills (abilities for decimating your enemies); skills which increase with combat experience.

Add to this 6 weapons to use, battlefield bonuses, and the further choice of gameplay at "easy", "medium", and "hard" - well, you'll be kept plenty busy with the variety RIP offers. Add to this RIP's alternative play-mode, or "rush-mode" for insane target-practice, and we have a game that offers both variety and longevity. Finally, RIP also comes with a child-mode of play that dilutes the carnage for youngsters in the house.

When all is said and done, White Elephant Games has given the gaming world a surprisingly fun game with a few twists on an old standard - the top-down shooter - in the form of their game, RIP. With colorful graphics that remind me of games from the early 1990's, an assortment of characters and play-options, and a background story, RIP offers fans of top-down arcade shooters a package well worth taking a look at. While RIP lacks the foreboding darkness and grim look of Crimsonland (a game that was and is held in high esteem by fans of top-down shooters), do not be fooled - RIP packs a punch with variety and longevity that will satisfy fans for sure!